Candidate endorsements have played an important role in American politics. They typically help voters to understand where a candidate stands in relation to the values and traditions espoused by a particular social group. In contemporary politics, endorsements provide candidates not only with an official “seal of approval,” but also with access to membership databases that can be used for targeted fundraising and “get out the vote” appeals.

Endorsements from religious groups and their leaders have significantly affected the outcome of several presidential elections. Most recently, the mobilization of evangelical Christians has been credited with George W. Bush’s victories in 2000 and 2004. This mobilization was widely attributed to endorsements and support from a broad coalition of evangelical Christian organizations and their leaders.

There are indications that candidate endorsements from religious leaders and organizations will be much more difficult to attain in the current election cycle. Since 2004, the Internal Revenue Service has placed a higher level of scrutiny on churches and other non-profit organizations that engage in political advocacy. Investigations following the last two federal elections have left many churches, and their leaders, skittish about endorsing a particular candidate. Other organizations and leaders now refuse to issue endorsements out of concerns that promises made on the campaign trail will be forgotten.

Nevertheless, several candidates have already received endorsements from religious leaders and their affiliated organizations. A list of those endorsements is provided below, along with links to articles regarding the endorsements and to information on the endorsers and their organizations. This list will be updated by the Pluralism Project as the campaign season unfolds.